The association between mental health and participatory sports consumption: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Participatory sports consumption (PSC) can improve mental wellness. However, despite advances in science, technology, and medicine, evidence suggests that our mental health has declined in recent decades. PSC, which is becoming more prevalent in the sports industry, may enhance our sports experience and positively impact mental health. Therefore, studying the relationship between PSC and mental health is important. Methods This study employed the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019 data of 11,268 participants aged over 19 years old to evaluate the relationship between PSC and mental health. Adjustments were made for sex, age, education level, household income, and chronic disease. Subgroup analyses were also conducted based on sex, age, and exercise level. Results Significant differences between PSC and various factors, including sex, age, education level, household income level, number of chronic diseases, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, poor self-perceived health status, and regular exercise. After controlling for sex, age, household income level, and education level, the presence or absence of PSC had a significant association on stress, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and poor self-perceived health. A subgroup analysis showed that the impact of participating in sports consumption on stress was significantly higher for females, older adults, and regular exercisers. Additionally, older adults showed a significant difference in the impact of PSC on anxiety and self-perceived health status compared to other age groups. Conclusions PSC is associated with improvement in mental health, including those with chronic conditions, and older adults experience greater benefits from PSC than younger individuals.